World Mental Health Day - A Reflection On

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10, since 1992. The initiative comes from the World Federation for Mental Health. This day is essentially intended to draw attention to mental wellbeing, with a view of raising awareness on issues related to mental health, and with an aim of mobilising efforts in support of mental health.

A few articles ago, we addressed suicide in our generation as one of the tells of mental health. The piece, “And Sometimes Taking up Space Hurts”, addressed the statistics of suicide in Botswana, and looks at how and why youth between 18 and 40 are the most affected by suicide. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day was “Youth and Mental Health in a Changing World.”

The World Health Organisation has stated that there are many different mental health disorders with different presentations. These are usually characterised by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others. One of the keys to preventing mental health disorders and alleviate the suffering caused by them is access to health care and social services that can provide treatment and social support. This is largely absent in Botswana, with few pockets of good Samaritans.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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